Leeds firm HubRx has received a seven-figure funding package from HSBC to launch a facility that will automate dispensary for independent community pharmacists, creating 100 jobs.
The newly launched company - which is led by a team of pharmacy and healthcare software professionals - will use the funding to open a 40,000 sq. ft. base on the outskirts of the city, from which it will automate dispensing of up to 12m healthcare items each year.
HubRx has invested in a range of technologies, including "Pack to Patient" robots that allow each medicine to be fulfilled automatically, and optical scanners that optimize the labelling process before medicines are ready for dispatch.
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The process works by patients requesting prescriptions from their GP or pharmacy, which is then authorised by the GP and sent via the electronic prescription service to the pharmacy. That is sent on to HubRx, which fulfils the prescription and sends it back to the pharmacy ready for collection.
Daniel Lee, CEO and founder at HubRx Ltd, said: “The role of independent community pharmacy is rapidly changing from being focused on dispensing prescriptions to instead offering more clinical services.
"To achieve this, pharmacies need to free up more dispensing time which is where HubRx will be able to help. We’re grateful to HSBC UK for supporting us to acquire cutting-edge automation technology and equipment so we can create the first centralised automated hub of its kind for independent pharmacists.”
Mike France, relationship director for equipment finance at HSBC UK, added: “We’re pleased to support the HubRx team, led by CEO Daniel Lee and chairman Sean Riddell, both of whom have significant expertise in healthcare technology and a genuine passion for improving community pharmacies in the Yorkshire region and across the UK.
"The business puts innovation and local community wellbeing at the heart of their business, and we look forward to seeing them grow.”
Helen Philips, relationship director at HSBC UK, added: “As a business establishing its position as a market leader in digital healthcare, we were pleased to support HubRx’ s acquisition of innovative equipment.”
